The Saddle Maker's Bench

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Hey everyone, sorry it's been so long since I have posted anything here. Like I said in my last post, we've been really busy in the shop. Since then we've moved all the saddle makers into the new Saddle Shop. We're now up and running full speed!

We've also added several new sponsorships like....

Matt Sherwood, PRCA Team Roper, who finished 2011 3rd place in the world standings 6th place in the Wrangler NFR.

Olin Hannum, PRCA Steer Westler who finished 2011 10th place in the world standings, and 15th in the Wrangler NFR.

PRCA Bareback Rider, Kaycee Feild, who finished 2011 1st place in the world standings and 1st in the Wrangler NFR!

We also added Jody Sheffield to our team, WPRA Barrel Racer who finished 8th place in the world standings.Congratulations! You are all winners!

We had a great Finals and 2011 is in the books as a great year! We are in the Saddle Shop, busy filling orders taken at the Finals. We are also looking foreward to an even better 2012!

We are also working on some new designs for 2012 as well, but more on that next time.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

It has been really exciting around the saddle shop lately. We have been working on several sponsorships. From the show arena to the rodeo arena, we have been meeting with some major players.

Brand new saddle designs and improvements on old designs has been keeping us very busy.

Personally, I am very excited to announce our partnership with Marty Simper. Marty has been very instrumental in the designing process of our new reining saddles. Marty is a gentleman in every sense of the word and I appreciate his willingness to share his knowledge with me in designing this saddle, and look forward to our future association. Thanks Marty. You are a Class Act.
Check out Marty's website www.martysimpershowhorses.com

I am also excited about several new sponsorship prospects and can hardly wait to announce the names that we will be working with, but...I'll have to wait a little longer. Sorry. Keep checking back!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Many years ago, I read an article where Ray Hunt was quoted saying, "What I do, I do for the horse".

Those words touched me very deeply. It was such a simple statement, but at the same time so profound. Suddenly, I had a definition for why I did what I did.
Horses are these wonderful, willing creatures who allow us to do amazing things because of (or inspite of) our partnership with them.
Because of this simple quote, I made it my goal to always consider the horse first. How is what I am doing, or what my customer wants me to do going to affect the ability of the horse to do his job.
Someone once asked me if I had ever made the perfect saddle. I said "No. And I hope I never do". My thinking was that if I believe I have attained perfection in my work, there is nothing left to aspire to.
I never met Ray Hunt, but many of his words have had a great influence on my life. Statements like, "It's amazing what you can learn, once you have already learned all there is to learn". Another great quote by Mr. Hunt, "It takes a lifetime to learn how to live a lifetime".

Mr. Hunt, thanks for the wisdom you passed on. You had a great effect on many people.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Look for our upcoming feature item in the Horizon page of the April Cowboys and Indians.

Hits Newsstands March 1st, 2011!

The Horizon section is a catalog type page that features about 4-8 items and we were selected to be one of those items. The copy below will be featured along with the item. (Horizon section usually found between pg. 46-50)

Monday, February 14, 2011

James and Matt, two of our saddlemakers, will be in Wickenburg, Arizona this week for the 11th annual "SouthWest LeatherWorkers Trade Show".
They will be attending several of the workshops there. Hopefully they will be coming back full of knowledge that they can pass on to the rest of us.
They will also be spending some time at the trade show and visiting with some of our current suppliers and possibly finding new suppliers to help us stay fresh!
Have fun guys and stay out of trouble!

Blog Archive

Labels

About Me

I started building saddles in 1984 at the age of 19. I have devoted most of my life to the study of saddles, their construction and also the men and women who build (or built) them.
I am the head saddle maker for Burns Saddlery, located in Salina, UT.
Burns Saddlery employs 8 full-time saddle makers. One of them is my wife, Jenni.